Alexandra Burke set to take Sheffield by storm

AS her former fellow X Factor finalists leave town after last night’s third Sheffield arena fixture next week sees Alexandra Burke make an overdue headline visit to the city.

Arguably eclipsed by the success of runners-up JLS, the pop princess and fifth series winner’s All Night Long is a little more intimate in venue choice.

The 18-date bounce around the country started just over a week ago and has her filling Sheffield City Hall on Tuesday.

Alexandra released her A list-produced début album, Overcome, in 2009. It went straight to number one, fuelled by hits All Night Long, Broken Heels, Hallelujah and the Flo Rida-aided cheesy Bad Boys.

The sassy miss also picked up the coveted Glamour Women of the Year Award for Best Newcomer for 2010 and saw out the year teasing the airwaves with Start Without You. Expect to hear some new tunes at the show.

One young woman who is clearly looking forward to it is Scots singer-songwriter Carrie Mac, who opens the night.

“Alexandra is lovely,” says the lass, who has previously toured with Diana Vickers and The Proclaimers. “I can learn from her because she is a true professional, both on stage and off. She is a really good role model. She knows what she is doing and is a really nice girl.”

It is a build up to Carrie releasing her single Till I See You Again on March 14. “I am classically trained in the violin and was in orchestras but I always wanted to sing.

“So I went to college for two years doing an HND in music and decided not to go on and do a degree. Instead, I learned guitar, went out to do a gig and I was awful. It took a couple of years to hone my craft,” admits the girl who counts Fleetwood Mac, Christina Aguilera and Jessie J among her influences.

“A few years ago I wasn’t ready for this. Now I feel I can deal with whatever is thrown at me now. It’s time for me to show people I can sing live, write my own songs and play my own instruments. I don’t know when I’ll have time to eat on this tour because I will be recording the album as well.”